Blackburn vs. Sheffield Wednesday Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 8 April 2025 - bettingexpert
As the Championship heads into its crucial 41st round, Blackburn Rovers welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Ewood Park. Both teams find themselves mid-table with 52 points each, occupying 12th and 13th positions respectively. It’s a battle of pride and a potential top-half finish as every point counts in these closing stages of the season.
Recent form heavily favours Sheffield Wednesday, who despite mixed results, have shown flashes of brilliance, notably their 3-2 victory over Norwich and a clean sheet against Plymouth. In contrast, Blackburn’s form is woeful, suffering five straight losses.
Given Blackburn’s injury woes, including key player Andreas Weimann out with a meniscus injury, and Sheffield’s relatively stable squad, our match tip recommends betting on Sheffield Wednesday to win. Their track record against Blackburn and better recent performance bolster their chances of taking all three points.
The expected rain could add an unpredictable element, but will likely not deter Sheffield Wednesday, who seem better equipped to handle the fixture pileup and pressure at this stage. Fans can expect a tightly contested clash, but Sheffield Wednesday’s edge in form and history might just tip it in their favour.
Blackburn vs Sheffield Wednesday Prediction & Betting Tip
- Our recommended betting tip is to back Sheffield Wednesday to win this match.
Blackburn’s recent form has been dismal, with consecutive losses and no clean sheets in their last five matches.
On the other hand, Sheffield Wednesday have secured some valuable points, including a significant away win at Norwich.
Their track record against Blackburn, coupled with a more stable squad and better recent away performances, makes this a favourable bet.
| Blackburn vs Sheffield Wednesday Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Sheffield Wednesday to Win | 2.67 |
- Blackburn have not kept a clean sheet in their last five games, showing defensive vulnerabilities.
- Sheffield Wednesday’s historical head-to-head record against Blackburn is strong, with recent victories.
- Sheffield Wednesday’s recent away wins show they can perform under pressure and against competitive teams.
Leveraging the above factors, backing Sheffield Wednesday seems the prudent choice for punters looking for value.
Blackburn vs Sheffield Wednesday Odds
Here’s a quick look at the odds for the upcoming match:
| Blackburn vs Sheffield Wednesday Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Blackburn | 2.59 |
| Draw | 3.22 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2.67 |
The odds lean slightly in favour of Sheffield Wednesday, despite being the away team. This reflects their better recent form and successful head-to-head history against Blackburn.
Punters should consider that Blackburn have struggled defensively, conceding in consecutive matches, while Sheffield Wednesday have shown they can perform well away from home. The odds indicate a tight contest, but betting on Sheffield Wednesday may offer the best value given their recent performances.
Blackburn Team Analysis
Blackburn Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackburn | Middlesbrough | 2025-04-04 | Championship | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Portsmouth | Blackburn | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Cardiff | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Stoke | Blackburn | 2025-03-12 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Derby | Blackburn | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
Blackburn Rovers have been on a tough run lately, with five consecutive losses in their recent matches. Their recent form, shown as LLLLL, highlights significant challenges, particularly in scoring and defending capabilities. Averaging just 0.40 goals scored per match in their last five games, the team has struggled offensively.
Defensively, they have also found it tough, consistently conceding goals and showing no clean sheets in their recent outings. Despite these challenges, their resilience will be put to the test as they seek to break this poor run and secure points in the upcoming fixtures.
Blackburn Key Players
Expected lineup for Blackburn:
- Goalkeeper: Aynsley Pears
- Defenders: Joe Rankin-Costello, Dominic Hyam, Danny Batth, Yuri Ribeiro
- Midfielders: Todd Cantwell, Lewis Travis, John Buckley
- Forwards: Ryan Hedges, Makhtar Gueye, Tyrhys Dolan
Despite their recent struggles, Blackburn’s key players remain crucial to their efforts. Andreas Weimann, the top scorer with 7 goals, will unfortunately be missed due to injury. In his absence, Todd Cantwell and Tyrhys Dolan are expected to step up.
Cantwell’s creative midfield play will be vital in breaking down Sheffield Wednesday’s defence, while Dolan’s pace and dribbling skills could pose a significant threat.
The midfield battle between Lewis Travis and Sheffield’s Josh Windass will be interesting, with Travis needing to neutralize Windass’ attacking prowess.
Blackburn Suspensions & Injuries
Blackburn Rovers are facing an extensive list of injuries, which will certainly impact their performance in the upcoming match against Sheffield Wednesday. The absence of key players like Andreas Weimann and others could significantly weaken their squad depth and strategy.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Wharton | Cruciate ligament injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Zak Gilsenan | Muscle injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Harry Leonard | Leg injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Andreas Weimann | Meniscus injury | Early June 2025 |
| Augustus Kargbo | Hamstring injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Callum Brittain | Calf injury | Late April 2025 |
| Emmanuel Dennis | Hamstring injury | Late April 2025 |
| Hayden Carter | Calf injury | Early May 2025 |
| Owen Beck | Hamstring injury | Late May 2025 |
The timing of these injuries could not be worse for Blackburn, and Coach Valérien Ismaël will need to rely on the resilience and adaptability of his remaining squad members to try and secure a positive result.
Blackburn Tactics and Formation
Blackburn Rovers Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Makhtar Gueye
- Midfield Trio: Todd Cantwell, Lewis Travis, John Buckley
- Defensive Stability: None in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Scoring most goals in the 76-90 minute interval
Blackburn under Valérien Ismaël is likely to adopt a 4-3-3 formation. They aim to utilize the pace and creativity of Tyrhys Dolan and Ryan Hedges on the wings, feeding balls to their key forward, Makhtar Gueye. In midfield, Todd Cantwell often takes the central creative role, supported by the industrious Lewis Travis and the versatile John Buckley. Despite their recent defensive woes, Blackburn’s strategy involves a late-game push, scoring the majority of their goals in the closing 15 minutes of play. Ismaël will hope to tighten up defensively while maintaining this late attacking impetus.
Sheffield Wednesday Team Analysis
Sheffield Wednesday Recent Performance
Sheffield Wednesday’s recent form shows a mixed bag with a record of DLLWL in their last five matches. The Owls managed a solid 3-0 win against Plymouth and a thrilling 3-2 victory over Norwich, but they dropped points with a draw against Cardiff and suffered narrow defeats to Sheffield United and Hull.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Wednesday | Hull | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Cardiff | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield United | 2025-03-16 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Norwich | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 2-3 (Win) |
| Plymouth | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 0-3 (Win) |
Recent Form: DLLWL
In their last five outings, Sheffield Wednesday averaged 1.4 goals scored per match and secured one clean sheet. Danny Röhl’s side will hope to carry their stronger recent away performances into the match against Blackburn.
Sheffield Wednesday Key Players
Expected lineup for Sheffield Wednesday:
- Goalkeeper: Pierce Charles
- Defenders: Pol Valentin, Michael Ihiekwe, Marvin Johnson, Akin Famewo
- Midfielders: Shea Charles, Svante Ingelsson, Barry Bannan, Josh Windass, Djeidi Gassama
- Forward: Michael Smith
Sheffield Wednesday’s key players include top scorer Josh Windass, who has netted 11 goals this season. His attacking prowess will be crucial against Blackburn’s defence. Midfield general Barry Bannan, known for his playmaking skills, can dictate the pace of the game. The battle between Windass and Blackburn’s defenders like Dominic Hyam will be one to watch. With a recent average of 1.4 goals per match, Sheffield Wednesday’s attack looks more potent than Blackburn’s, positioning them well for a positive result.
Sheffield Wednesday Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| DiShon Bernard | Knee injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Max Lowe | Knee injury | Late May 2025 |
Sheffield Wednesday is dealing with a couple of injuries that could influence their performance against Blackburn. DiShon Bernard is out with a knee injury and is expected to return in mid-April, while Max Lowe is also sidelined due to a knee injury with a projected return in late May.
These absences in the backline could put additional pressure on Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive unit, impacting their strategy and depth in the upcoming matchup. It may necessitate tactical adjustments from Coach Danny Röhl to maintain defensive solidity.
Sheffield Wednesday Tactics and Formation
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Michael Smith
- Midfield Trio: Shea Charles, Svante Ingelsson, and Josh Windass
- Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games.
Sheffield Wednesday appear set to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Danny Röhl looking to combine defensive solidity with creative attacking play. Michael Smith will spearhead the attack, supported by the versatile and prolific Josh Windass in the number 10 role.
In midfield, defensive midfielders Shea Charles and Svante Ingelsson will be crucial in shielding the defence and distributing the ball creatively. With a solid backline including Pol Valentin and Akin Famewo, the team will aim to control possession and counter swiftly.
Their recent away form has been promising, and they’ll look to continue this trend with high pressing and sharp transitions between defence and attack.
Blackburn vs Sheffield Wednesday Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Wednesday | Blackburn | 2024-12-10 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Sheffield Wednesday | 2024-04-21 | Championship | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Blackburn | 2023-12-02 | Championship | 3-1 (Loss) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Blackburn | 2021-04-20 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Sheffield Wednesday | 2020-12-26 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
The recent head-to-head encounters between Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday have not been favorable for the home team. In their last five matchups, Blackburn have lost four times and only managed a draw once. Their most recent meeting saw Blackburn triumph with a narrow 1-0 victory away at Hillsborough.
Odds accurate as of 04 June 2025 19:46, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
